Braidfarde is a name whose history is connected to the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Braidfarde family once lived in or near one of the many places called Bradford in England, which were found in Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Northumberland, and the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Braidfarde literally means broad ford.

Early Origins of the Braidfarde family

The surname Braidfarde was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Braidfarde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Braidfarde research.Another 205 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1590, 1657, 1624 and 1703 are included under the topic Early Braidfarde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Braidfarde Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Braidfarde family name include Bradford, Bradeford, Braidford, Bradforde and others.

Early Notables of the Braidfarde family (pre 1700)

Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Braidfarde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Braidfarde family to Ireland

Some of the Braidfarde family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Braidfarde family to the New World and Oceana

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Braidfarde surname or a spelling variation of the name include: William Bradford of Yorkshire who arrived at Plymouth in 1621, aboard the Mayflower and, on the death of John Carver in 1621, was chosen leader of the Pilgrims, 2nd Governor of the Plymouth colony. His wife Dorothy died at sea, en-route to the Colony. Other settlers include: Henery Bradford, who came to Virginia in 1625.

The Braidfarde Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.